Freshman Admissions Overview

Freshmen accepted to the University of Minnesota are admitted to one of the freshman-admitting colleges: Biological Sciences; Design; Education and Human Development; Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences; Liberal Arts; Management (Carlson School of); or Technology (Institute of). (Learn more about the University of Minnesota's colleges.)

Admission to the University of Minnesota is competitive. The competitiveness of admission each year is determined by the number of applications received, the academic qualifications of the applicant pool, and the number of spaces available in each college's freshman class. The overall strongest applicants to each college are offered admission. To learn more about the students admitted to each of the freshman-admitting colleges last year, see the academic profile of fall 2009 admitted freshman applicants.

Enrolling an academically qualified, diverse student body is essential to the University's mission. The academic and social environment of the campus is greatly enhanced, and students are better prepared to thrive in a global society.

Each applicant is considered for admission to the college they list first on the application. If the applicant is not admissible to that college, they are considered for admission to their alternate choice, and/or to the college that best matches their academic interests and preparation.

We believe that selecting students from a very able group of applicants requires a careful, individualized review of each application. Admission decisions are based on an overall assessment of each student's academic preparation and performance (primary factors), as well as the additional information provided in the application (secondary factors). The strongest consideration in the decision is given to the primary factors.

Primary Factors

Completion of the core subject requirements. (Admitted students typically exceed these minimum requirements. See subject requirements)
Grade point average
Class rank (if available)
ACT or SAT scores

Secondary Factors

Individual circumstances such as those listed below are also considered as part of the overall assessment of each application and may factor into individual decisions.

An exceptionally rigorous academic curriculum (i.e., honors, AP, IB, or college level courses) through the senior year
Outstanding talent, achievement, or aptitude in a particular area
Strong commitment to community service and leadership
Military service
Contribution to the cultural, gender, age, economic, racial, or geographic diversity of the student body
Evidence of having overcome social, economic, or physical barriers to educational achievement
First-generation college student
Significant responsibility in a family, community, job, or activity
Family employment or attendance at the University of Minnesota
Extenuating circumstances

Core Subject Requirements

Applicants are expected to complete, at a minimum, the University's core subject requirements listed below. A strong college preparatory curriculum enhances students' chances for success because college classes build on the skills and knowledge acquired in high school.

Admission is competitive and students admitted to the University typically exceed these minimum requirements. A fourth year of math is strongly recommended, as are other academic courses that go beyond the requirements listed below.

(Applicants who are not on track to complete all of the core subject requirements may sometimes be admitted if they have promising academic records and meet other admission requirements. Students admitted with any course deficiencies must make them up before graduating from the University.)

Course Important Notes

4 years of English, with an emphasis on writing, including instruction in reading and speaking skills and in literary understanding and appreciation If you are a non native speaker of English and if you have ACT English and/or reading scores of 17 or lower (or SAT critical reading [verbal] score of 420 or lower), you may be asked to submit scores from the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Call the Office of Admissions for details.

3 years of mathematics, including one year each of elementary algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra (integrated math 1, 2 & 3) 4 years of mathematics are required for the Carlson School of Management, College of Biological Sciences, and the Institute of Technology. Examples include calculus (preferred), pre-calculus, analysis, and integrated math 4.

3 years of science, including one year each of biological and physical science, and including a laboratory experience Biological science, chemistry, and physics are required for the Carlson School of Management, College of Biological Sciences, and the Institute of Technology.

3 years of social studies, including one year each of U.S. history and geography (or a course that includes a geography component such as world history, western civilization, or global studies) Applicants who are missing one year of geography will not be denied admission if they are otherwise admissible.

2 years of a single second language

1 year of visual and/or performing arts, including instruction in the history and interpretation of the art form (e.g., theater arts, music, band, chorus, orchestra, drawing, painting, photography, graphic design, media production, theatre production) Applicants who are missing this requirement will not be denied admission if they are otherwise admissible.

Schedule changes: The University expects that students will successfully complete the senior year coursework they list on their admission application. Schedule changes of academic coursework during the senior year and/or the unsuccessful completion of senior year coursework may result in the cancellation of admission or a change to the college of admission. Students considering making schedule changes, or those who are concerned about their academic progress in any of their courses, must consult with their U of M admissions counselor (1-800-752-1000 or 612-625-2008).

Access to Success Program

The University of Minnesota supports high potential students through its Access to Success Program (ATS), a one-year program for a limited number of incoming freshmen in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD); the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS); and the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

The mission of the Access to Success Program is to help ensure the academic success of its participants. It is designed for students whose experiences and high school records indicate strong potential for success through the ATS Program, but whose high school rank and test scores may not meet the typical profile of students admitted to CEHD, CFANS, or CLA.

ATS students will participate in classes and programs during their freshman year specifically designed to strengthen their academic skills and promote their academic achievement. Participants benefit from the following:

Classes that focus on the needs of new freshmen to ensure their successful transition to college and their successful first year

A variety of support services offered by CEHD, CFANS, and CLA, such as individually tailored academic advising, peer mentoring, and tutoring services

Services offered by University offices such as SMART Learning Commons and the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence

Course instruction that utilizes state-of-the-art teaching methods, small classes, personal attention, and other features designed to support and encourage their success

Some students will also have the opportunity to participate in Bridge to Academic Excellence, a year-long program that further facilitates a successful transition to the U of M. The program begins the summer prior to the freshman year.

The ATS Program also offers a number of other services that address the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and characteristics, including urban students, first-generation college students, student parents, students with disabilities, students of color, older students, and non-native speakers of English.

Selection process
Students who have demonstrated strong potential for success in the ATS Program and who would most benefit from the services provided in the program will be admitted to CEHD, CFANS or CLA, and as a condition of their admission they will be required to participate in all programmatic elements of the ATS Program. Decisions will be based on an individual, overall assessment of each application.

Participants will primarily be Minnesota residents. A very limited number of students from the reciprocity states of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin will be selected to participate.

Course	Important Notes
4 years of English, with an emphasis on writing, including instruction in reading and speaking skills and in literary understanding and appreciation	If you are a non native speaker of English and if you have ACT English and/or reading scores of 17 or lower (or SAT critical reading [verbal] score of 420 or lower), you may be asked to submit scores from the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Call the Office of Admissions for details.
3 years of mathematics, including one year each of elementary algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra (integrated math 1, 2 & 3)	4 years of mathematics are required for the Carlson School of Management, College of Biological Sciences, and the Institute of Technology. Examples include calculus (preferred), pre-calculus, analysis, and integrated math 4.
3 years of science, including one year each of biological and physical science, and including a laboratory experience	Biological science, chemistry, and physics are required for the Carlson School of Management, College of Biological Sciences, and the Institute of Technology.
3 years of social studies, including one year each of U.S. history and geography (or a course that includes a geography component such as world history, western civilization, or global studies)	Applicants who are missing one year of geography will not be denied admission if they are otherwise admissible.
2 years of a single second language
1 year of visual and/or performing arts, including instruction in the history and interpretation of the art form (e.g., theater arts, music, band, chorus, orchestra, drawing, painting, photography, graphic design, media production, theatre production)	Applicants who are missing this requirement will not be denied admission if they are otherwise admissible.